Dear Partners and Collaborators, I’d like to thank all of our partners, stakeholders and fellow advocates for midwifery who were present at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for supporting the work of the International Confederation of Midwives, represented this year by myself, ICM’s new President, Franka Cadée, Advocacy and Operations Manager, Scarlett Hawkins, and ICM's United Nations Representatives for New York, Joyce Hyatt and Vicki Hedley. It was a long and exhilarating week in which much was shared, and much was learned. It was a privilege to participate in so many conversations, panels and webinars about the changing global environment for health and wellbeing, particularly with regard to sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health. At every event that ICM attended, we were heartened to see the championing of midwives as a vital resource in all health systems: low-, medium- and high-resourced alike. It was inspiring to see such a high level of engagement from stakeholders, governments, representatives, organizations and agencies who are working so diligently towards the common goal of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are confident that these solutions can – and must – include the mobilisation of skilled, educated, regulated and autonomous midwives. Over the course of the UNGA, we participated in a number of discussions emphasising the essential role of midwives in ensuring healthy outcomes for women and their families globally. If midwives are respected, supported, educated and regulated then there is no limit to the positive impact we can make. Now, more than ever, partnership and collective efforts will enable us to achieve important progress, and to set the stage for further growth over the coming years. Not all women can navigate pregnancy and childbirth safely, but all women deserve to. We are confident that through commitment and partnerships, we can work further towards achieving the SDGs and ensuring healthy lives for women, children and their families. Warm regards, Dr Sally Pairman Chief Executive The International Confederation of Midwives Warm regards, Dr Sally Pairman Chief Executive The International Confederation of Midwives |